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Album reviews: Pharrell, Sara Evans, Aloe Blacc, more

By Gary Graff, The Oakland Press

Posted:
03/10/2014 05:03:02 AM MDT

Updated:
03/10/2014 05:03:06 AM MDT

Singer Sara Evans performs the national anthem before the Miami Heat take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Two of the 2012 NBA Finals at Chesapeake Energy Arena on June 14, 2012 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

R&B

Pharrell Williams, “G I R L”, (I Am Other/Columbia), ***1/2

There's no question Pharrell Williams went into his second solo album — and first in eight years — with an enviable head of steam. The pop and R&B auteur from the Neptunes production team and N.E.R.D. was part of two of 2013's biggest hits, Robin Thicke's “Blurred Lines” and Daft Punk's “Get Lucky,” while first single from the record, “Happy,” had plenty of push from “Despicable Me 2.” Williams takes advantage of the momentum with a buoyant collection of old-school style but timeless jams whose airy arrangements and punchy kinetics are a decidedly contemporary fit.

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“G I R L” is loosely themed as Williams' salute to female empowerment and sexuality, though the lusty booty calls of “Gush” and the slinky, Princely “Come Get It Bae” (with Miley Cyrus on guest backing vocals) prove that he's still a M A N. Justin Timberlake duets on the bouncy “Brand New” while Alicia Keys brings a silky counterpoint to the smooth “Know Who You Are,” and Daft Punk's robots lend some cyber vocalics to the loping “Gust of Wind.” The only miscue of “G I R L” is the nearly eight-minute “Lost Queen,” a kind of messy three-part suite that moves from hollow-sounding polyrhythms to the sound of waves crashing in the ocean and then a slower, string-laden third section. It speaks of big creative ambition but in actuality misses the energetic, inspired and concise bite that makes “G I R L” such an early-year standout.COUNTRY

Sara Evans, “Slow Me Down”, (RCA Nashville), ***

Sara Evan's “Stronger,” a country chart-topping comeback in 2011, was no fluke. On its follow-up, and Evans' seventh album overall, she's in fine voice and solid country-pop crossover form, especially as she goes tonsil to tonsil on duets with The Fray's Isaac Slade on “Can't Stop Loving You” and Gavin DeGraw on the Ryan Tedder co-write “Not Over You,” as well as “Put My Heart Down” and the whistling “Sweet Spot.” But Evans shows her full-on country heart on “Better Off” (with Vince Gill) and “Good Love is Hard to Find,” and the high-velocity “Revival” shows Evans isn't about to be slowed down any time soon.

New & Noteworthy

Aloe Blacc, “Lift Your Spirit” (XL/Interscope): The Panamanian-American soul/pop singer's third album is a career highpoint that's making waves with the Elton John-assisted single “The Man.”

Architects UK, “Lost Forever//Lost Together” (Epitaph): The British headbangers' latest was recorded in Sweden and features a guest appearance by Murray Macleod of the Xcerts.

Paul Carrack, “Rain or Shine” (Proper Music): The former Ace, Squeeze and Mike + the Mechanics member covers Ray Charles and Luther Ingram on his new solo set.

Cowboy Troy, “King of Clubs” (Warner Bros. Nashville): The original country rapper is still kicking on his fourth solo album outside of Big & Rich.

Elbow, “The Take Off and Landing of Everything” (Fiction/Concord): The British alt.rock group's sixth album has gone through three titles, finally taking its name from the set's penultimate track.

Ledisi, “The Truth” (Verve): The sharp New Orleans R&B singer's seventh album was preceded by the single “I Blame You.”

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Ranchers featuring Edie Brickell, “Live” (Rounder): The bluegrass-and-beyond troupe is captured in concert, on CD and DVD, with four songs not included on last year's “Love Has Come For You” album.

Metronomy, “Love Letters” (Atlantic): The fourth studio album from the British group that's gained notice with its remixes for U2, Gorillaz, Franz Ferdinand and others.

Lea Michele, “Louder” (Columbia): the Glee star's first solo album includes an emotional tribute to late co-star and boyfriend, Corey Monteith.

nine inch nails and Coil, “Recoiled” (Cold Spring): A four-song EP sporting rare remixes of nin songs by Coil before two of its original members died in recent years.

Ozomatli, “Place in the Sun” (Vanguard): the multicultural rabble rousers are back, bringing friends such as Eurythmics' Dave Stewart and WAX Ltd.'s Xandy Barry with them.

David Pack, “David Pack's Napa Crossroads” (Concord): The former Ambrosia frontman's guest list on this winery-inspired outing include Todd Rundgren, Alan Parsons, Bela Fleck and the Doors' late Ray Manzarek.

Lockheed says object part of 'sensor technology' testing that ended ThursdayWhat the heck is that thing? It's fair to assume that question was on the minds of many people who traveled along Colo. 128 south of Boulder this week if they happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a large, silver projectile perched alongside the highway and pointed north toward town.

PARIS (AP) — Bye, New York! Ciao, Milan! Bonjour, Paris! The world's largest traveling circus of fashion editors, models, buyers and journalists has descended on the French capital, clutching their metro maps and city guides, to cap the ready-to-wear fashion season. Full Story